I think we must be bored sassy_cat

I'm just killing time till bed....

Ditto RM67 and now I am off!

Good evening everyone!

spots25: Sorry -- your thread has sort of gone off in a ditch. It happens - not your fault.

Some of us 'FodorsGarchs' can probably help you work out a plan -but that may open another can of worms.

I'll suggest you come up w/ a basic framework/itinerary and then we can help you work it out/refine it. When you post your idea, be sure to include your arrival/departure times. Also, a good rule of thumb is two MAJOR sites a day. Sometimes you can squeeze in 3 but w/ travel and breaks/meals -- two is a good average. Then you can work in other less time-intensive sites around the biggies.

Good luck

Ah, goodnight to the British contingent

spot25 - listen to janis as she is IMO and in many others THE London and British expert on Fodor's - even better than Brits themselves IMO because she is an American and thus can relate to American tourists more than locals who it seems just cannot fathom why Madame Tussauds or the Changing of the Guard could possible be at the top of a want to see list - so listen to Janis and not jaded locals who cannot put themselves into the boots of a first-time American traveler as Janis can - after all many Americans she says pay her to have her show them London and this no doubt translates into knowing what American tourists at least want to see!

spot25 - listen to janis as she is IMO and in many others THE London and British expert on Fodor's - even better than Brits themselves IMO because she is an American and thus can relate to American tourists more than locals who it seems just cannot fathom why Madame Tussauds or the Changing of the Guard could possible be at the top of a want to see list - so listen to Janis and not jaded locals who cannot put themselves into the boots of a first-time American traveler as Janis can - after all many Americans she says pay her to have her show them London and this no doubt translates into knowing what American tourists at least want to see!

Hahahaha - good morning to you too!

YES!! - FodorGarch AND jaded Brit (even though I am actually Canadian who has Canadian first time visitors all year round that I show around).

Glad I am the only 'rude' one on this post (even though I havent called anyone any names).

Anywho, last post on this thread - sorry to all for hijacking with ridiculous arguments during spates of boredom. Happy Planning all!

jamikins: You didn't send it off the tracks (I've been called worse than jaded and rude so we are in the same boat)

Guess we'll just have to wait for the OP to wade through all this and get back to us . . .

FodorGarch BTW is not a perjorative term - not at all - it just refers to the Old Guard - the veterans who have been here for years - including this FodorGarch (you are in good company indeed Janis!)

My problem with FodorGarchs in general is that they at times fail to put themselves in the footsteps of novice travelers - often even castigating them for 'not doing your own research' or as heard not long ago 'your itinerary is beyond idiotic' - things that have in the past brought some newbies to tears. (OP is not a newby but just came back after a 6 year absense and has to her/his history only a handful of posts) - and thus these new folk may just never come back for more abuse, etc.

Be kind and be gentle to first-time or new posters but for us FodorGarchs with each other it's OK because we know you and may intrepret your comments in a different way. New folks may just go away and never come back, much to Fodor's loss IMO.

FodorGarch BTW is not a perjorative term - not at all - it just refers to the Old Guard - the veterans who have been here for years - including this FodorGarch (you are in good company indeed Janis!)

My problem with FodorGarchs in general is that they at times fail to put themselves in the footsteps of novice travelers - often even castigating them for 'not doing your own research' or as heard not long ago 'your itinerary is beyond idiotic' - things that have in the past brought some newbies to tears. (OP is not a newby but just came back after a 6 year absense and has to her/his history only a handful of posts) - and thus these new folk may just never come back for more abuse, etc.

Be kind and be gentle to first-time or new posters but for us FodorGarchs with each other it's OK because we know you and may intrepret your comments in a different way. New folks may just go away and never come back, much to Fodor's loss IMO.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with suggesting people do a bit of basic research first.

It's very hard to help or advise if you don't have any idea of a person's tastes or budget.

Also politeness is a two way street. I have seen some newbie posts full of textspeak with not the slightest hint of what the Op was hoping to get from the trip that came across as very lazy - essentially, saying 'please research this entire trip for me, because I can't be arsed' . That's very different to saying ' I've narrowed my hotel selections down to x y or z - please can anyone who has stayed at any of them advise'.

Also, you claim to be thinking of newbie feelings and the importance of promoting Fodors as a friendly place, but sometimes these admonishments do give more the impression of points scoring against old foes.

London is a place where you can find best places to visit.It is not easy to describe here because i have also visited twice there.Best places are British Museum,Tate Modern,Natural History Museum and many more places.I just spend there for 2 days and if you need a best hotel near london city,go for boutique hotels in london.They give best services to me at affordable prices.The best thing is that special discounts are also available there.If you need any more help,feel free to ask me

Also, you claim to be thinking of newbie feelings and the importance of promoting Fodors as a friendly place, but sometimes these admonishments do give more the impression of points scoring against old foes.>

respectively I can see how you think that but I can sincerely say that no matter who it is that is IMO rude to a new poster I will react the same - treat first-time posters with kid gloves - but heck Fodor's can keep allowing FodorGarchs to chase new posters away by such caustic comments - too bad because for Fodors these new folks are the ones that may buy Fodors books or response to the adds, etc - FodorGarchs rarely buy anything I would think. So it is a double-edged sword - FodorGarchs are a wealth of information but some of them have a haughty I know best attitude and just cannot put themselves in the shoes of a first-time poster who yes may ask naive questions and present impossible itineraries. But to be met with a response like "your itinerary is beyond idiotcy" I think just chases them away - make our points but not with such 'brutal' language as one first-time poster recently say about one FodorGarchs comments on her impossible itinerary.

Attribute to me what you want but I will continue to support first-time posters when met with the all too often rude responses.

PQ: You have posted <u>nineteen</u> times on this thread beating this poor horse til it is dead for sure. So who exactly is driving folks away?? The Poor OP has not been back -- and trying to wade through this mish mash who can blame him/her?

Let's leave it until we hear back and quit hijacking the thread just to prove whatever point.

(and to clear up one thing -- the OP isn't a newbie or first timer - been around for years)

Spots25 did come back ... here's their last post which did not receive a response so the ball is in your court janis...


spots25 on Aug 1, 11 at 9:59am
love the info.thanks. janis, with your list of highlights can you suggest and order to do in because i do not know what is near each other. thanks

sassy: "<i>Spots25 did come back ... here's their last post which did not receive a response so the ball is in your court janis...


spots25 on Aug 1, 11 at 9:59am
love the info.thanks. janis, with your list of highlights can you suggest and order to do in because i do not know what is near each other. thanks</i>"

I did respond.
>>><blue>janisj on Aug 2, 11 at 4:22pm

spots25: Sorry -- your thread has sort of gone off in a ditch. It happens - not your fault.

Some of us 'FodorsGarchs' can probably help you work out a plan -but that may open another can of worms.

I'll suggest you come up w/ a basic framework/itinerary and then we can help you work it out/refine it. When you post your idea, be sure to include your arrival/departure times. Also, a good rule of thumb is two MAJOR sites a day. Sometimes you can squeeze in 3 but w/ travel and breaks/meals -- two is a good average. Then you can work in other less time-intensive sites around the biggies.

Good luck </blue><<<

The OP has not returned

Also, a good rule of thumb is two MAJOR sites a day>

that is janis' rule of thumb but most tourists who do not want to linger half a day in just two sights move at a faster pace - 3 major sights IME is easy to to and some sites like some museums are even open at night.

LONDON MAJOR SIGHTS
DAY 1
The London Eye Ferris Wheel
South Bank Walk (Tate Modern and or Globe Theatre Exhibition)
St Paul's Cathedral

DAY 2
The Tower of London
British Museum
Covent Garden/West End Theatre District

Day 3
Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guard
Westminster Abbey
Houses of Parliament (Big Ben)

Day 4
Traflagar Square
National Gallery (on Trafalgar Square)
Harrods Department Store
V & A Museum